Candles and the symbology of "light" are omnipresent in the Orthodox Christian's life, both in church and the home, providing an ambiance for prayer as well as decoration. In church, candles are presented a variety of settings.

Candles and the symbology of "light" are omnipresent in the Orthodox Christian's life, both in church and the home, providing an ambiance for prayer as well as decoration. In church, candles are presented a variety of settings.

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[[Image:AltarStMarkBradentonFL1.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Candles and Candelabra on Altar Table]]

===Altar===

===Altar===

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[[Image:AltarStMarkBradentonFL1.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Candles and Candelabra on Altar Table]]

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Candles are found in many uses within the precincts of the [[altar]]. Two candles are usually on the altar table, but may be replaced by the [[Dikirion and Trikirion|dikirion and trikiron]] during a hierarchical service. A seven-branched candle stand may be on the altar table or a freestanding candelabra [[Image:Candelabra.jpg|right|thumb|100px|Freestanding Candelabra]] behind it. For the many processions from the altar a variety of processional candles are available, used by the [[deacon]]s, members of the [[minor orders]], and [[acolyte]]s. During [[Pascha]], the deacon's Paschal candle and the Paschal trikiron in the hands of the [[bishop]] or [[priest]] are ever present.

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Candles are found in many uses within the precincts of the [[altar]]. Two candles are usually on the altar table, but may be replaced by the [[dikirion and trikiron]] during a hierarchical service. A seven-branched candle stand may be on the altar table or a freestanding candelabra [[Image:Candelabra.jpg|right|thumb|100px|Freestanding Candelabra]] behind it. For the many processions from the altar a variety of processional candles are available, used by the [[deacon]]s, members of the [[minor orders]], and [[acolyte]]s. During [[Pascha]], the deacon's Paschal candle and the Paschal trikiron in the hands of the [[bishop]] or [[priest]] are ever present.

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===Nave===

===Nave===

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In the [[nave]], candles may be lighted on candle stands before [[icon]]s throughout the nave and as memorials before the [[golgotha]][[Image:GalgothaStNickDC.JPG|left|thumb|125px|Vigil lamp before the Golgotha]]. In addition, [[Image:Vigil lamp|vigil lamps]] [[Image:HangingYigilLamp.JPG|left|thumb|125px|Vigil lamp in the nave]] are found before many [[icon]]s throughout the nave and before icons on the [[iconostasis]].

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In the [[nave]], candles may be lighted on candle stands before [[icon]]s throughout the nave and as memorials before the [[golgotha]][[Image:GalgothaStNickDC.JPG|left|thumb|125px|Vigil lamp before the Golgotha]]. In addition, vigil lamps [[Image:HangingYigilLamp.JPG|left|thumb|125px|Vigil lamp in the nave]] are found before many [[icon]]s throughout the nave and before icons on the [[iconostasis]].

===Narthex===

===Narthex===

Latest revision as of 07:25, May 29, 2011

The candle in the Orthodox Christian context is a symbol of a worshiper offering oneself to God. It is also a symbol that represents the Light of God or, more specifically, the Light of Christ. The candles may be made of traditional beeswax or cups of oil with floating wicks. Non-beeswax candles are frowned upon.

Contents

Usage

Candles and the symbology of "light" are omnipresent in the Orthodox Christian's life, both in church and the home, providing an ambiance for prayer as well as decoration. In church, candles are presented a variety of settings.

Candles and Candelabra on Altar Table

Altar

Candles are found in many uses within the precincts of the altar. Two candles are usually on the altar table, but may be replaced by the dikirion and trikiron during a hierarchical service. A seven-branched candle stand may be on the altar table or a freestanding candelabra

Freestanding Candelabra

behind it. For the many processions from the altar a variety of processional candles are available, used by the deacons, members of the minor orders, and acolytes. During Pascha, the deacon's Paschal candle and the Paschal trikiron in the hands of the bishop or priest are ever present.

Nave

In the nave, candles may be lighted on candle stands before icons throughout the nave and as memorials before the golgotha

Vigil lamp before the Golgotha

. In addition, vigil lamps

Vigil lamp in the nave

are found before many icons throughout the nave and before icons on the iconostasis.

Narthex

Candle stands are placed in the narthex of some churches that are large enough to accommodate them. Frequently these stands will be a type of sand box to facilitate their use and upkeep.

Baptism

During baptism of new members into Christ's Church, the neophyte is given a burning candle to symbolize passing from "darkness to light". For the infant, it is the sponsor who carries the light.

At home

Many Orthodox faithful maintain icon corners in their homes that may accommodate a number of candles and/or vigil lamps.

An Icon Corner

Some liturgical usages

The daily and weekly rhythm of ones religious life focuses on the "light" as symbolized in the evening services of Vespers. This usage may have been carried over to the practice of Icon corners used during the prayers of the faithful at home.

As one enters a church or before a shrine, the faithful often accompany their prayers with the lighting of a candle which even after one has departed represents that the prayers continue before God.

In the greatest of liturgical uses of candles is that during the Paschal services as the Paschal Candle and Paschal trikirion are lit upon the Resurrection of Our Lord and the light is passed through the church to the individual candles of the members of the congregation which are carried in procession out of the church symbolizing emerging from the tomb of Christ.